Bond of brothers
“I would rather walk with a friend in the dark, than alone in the light.”
― Helen Keller
It was an unusual foggy August morning for central Japan, as I made my way down to Inage Station. My thoughts were entangled and even my shadow appeared out of focus. “Stay calm. One step at a time.”, I told myself, but the idea of another goodbye came clumping over every other thought. S., was leaving Japan. The one guy who I knew I could rely on, the one person who was always there for me, for everyone. My bro. S.
It was early April ’18, more than four years ago when we first met. We formed part of the respectful MEXT (a Japanese government financed scholarship) winners, together with a bunch of other students at Chiba University. Living in the same dormitory just a couple of doors down the hallway, taking the exact same classes and going through the same procedures of adapting to living in Japan, the connection between us was instantaneous. Over the years, some of the people left our group, pursuing jobs sometimes far away, sometimes too time demanding to even answer a text. Other people joined too. I don’t know how to put this exactly, but S. was always the best of us. A man always offering his help, going out of his way to make sure everyone is settled and isn’t struggling with anything. Humble, intelligent, supportive, he is the friend everyone needs, especially in this mess of a life we’re living today.
Thank you, S. I cannot even attempt to list all the things you helped me with. I just want to wish you all the best in your new journey towards building a new life in the States. The new beginnings are always tough but I know you’re going to tough it out and overcome any sort of difficulty. On this journey, don’t forget who you are, where you came from and the people for whom you are doing all this. Your family. Building a life that will bring your people, your parents, your fiancée, your brother’s family and extended family together, through honest, hard work. You left more than a mark in Japan and we will keep you in our thoughts and prayers, wishing you all the best and being grateful for knowing you.
I ask God to give you the goodness of this journey, its victory, its help, its light, its blessings, and its guidance.
And I promise, one day, God willing, we shall meet again. Over there. And under an orange sky, we will go over the memories we made. Bet your life on it, brother.
May we meet again soon. God bless.